GPM Anime Contest Webquest Part 2: Weather & Climate

Part 2 of a 4 part webquest that teaches the basics of precipitation science and technology. Prepares students for the GPM Anime Contest.

So, are you thinking about creating an anime mascot for GPM? Do you need to learn a little more about the science and technology behind measuring precipitation?

Here is a webquest to help you explore more information about the water cycle, weather and climate, technology, and societal application of the GPM mission.

Part 2: Weather & Climate

Earth’s surface is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems—principally the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. All of the earth’s processes are the result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among these systems. Weather and climate are shaped by complex interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, clouds, ice, land, and life forms.

As you begin to interact with the websites in this section, first think about what you already know about weather and climate:

What do weather and climate have in common?

How are they different?

Which is easier to forecast?

What causes the weather to change?

What tools can we use to help forecast the weather?

How can satellites collect data that can be used to better understand climate and how it changes?

Think about a place that you like to visit during the summer. Consider why you like to go there and what the weather is like during the summer. One of the considerations people often use when deciding where to go on a vacation is based on what the climate is like in a certain location at a certain time. How can you find out what the climate is like in a specific location? At this NASA website, you can learn about the differences between weather and climate and find out which climate zone you are in: http://scijinks.nasa.gov/weather-v-climate

You have probably heard a lot about climate change lately. What is climate change? Is this a problem? Doesn’t the climate always change, like the weather? How do scientists know that the climate is changing? Why would climate change cause problems? To learn more about the answers to these questions, here are a few videos that will help you: